270 THE FUR SEALS OF THE PKIBILOF ISLANDS. 



1877 : Captain Kathgard, of San Francisco, took 15 fur seals from Guadalupe, 

 and states that about 1,000 were secured by other parties. 



1879: About 1879 Messrs. James Borges and Fred Sisson obtained 1,550 fur 

 seals on Guadalupe and San Beuita islands, both adults and young being taken. The 

 skins sold in San Francisco at $10 and $15. (Statement by Hunt and Chase.) 



1880: Captain Haritwen took 104 fur seals on Guadalupe Island between May 1 

 and 23, 1880. They were taken at several points on the island, but chiefly on the 

 west side, where the largest rookery contained GOO or 700 seals. 



At the easternmost of the San Benita Islands 2 fur seals were taken on May 24. 

 There were thi-ee other vessels sealing off Guadalupe at the same time, one of which, 

 remaining longer than the others, took 500 seals. This vessel reported that the young 

 were born about the middle of June. 



The seal skins were of good quality, and those iu Captain Haritwen's catch sold at 

 $15 each. 



1880: In 1880 George W. Chase again sealed at (Juadalupe Island, taking 185 iu 

 in June, 150 in July and August, and 75 in September. The skins were worth $15 

 eacli at that time. 



There were 3,000 or 4,000 seals there that year, but other vessels came and seals 

 soon became scarce. They were found breeding in June and July, and were present 

 every month iu the year. They were observed at times about 100 miles west of Gua- 

 dalupe. Seals were observed at Guadalupe on trips made by Chase since 1880, but 

 tliej' were not hunted. 



1883: In 1883 Cai)t. George E. Wentworth, of San Diego, sealed at Guadalupe, 

 making four trips in November, December, January, and February. About 4,000 

 seals were seen and 2,000 taken. Other vessels were there, and the seal rookeries were 

 practically broken up during that season. 



1885: In 1885 James M. Niles, of San Diego, made six trips to Guadalupe Island, 

 finding seals present during most months of the year. About 2,000 were seen and 

 200 killed. There were pup seals in plenty, which he believed to have been born in 

 June. 



1885: Seals also taken at Guadalupe by Captain Cannon. (Statement by 

 Haritwen.) 



1885. F. Lui)p, sloop Fm'itan, saw 5 seals, 1 killed in a cave. 



1890: George M. Hunt, of San Diego, visited Guadalupe in 1890 on the schooner 

 Hunter. Only 4 fur seals were seen. 



1891: In December, 1891, George M. Hunt visited Guadalupe Island for the pur- 

 pose of fur sealing, taking 5 adults on the east side and 1 pup on the northwest side. 

 Seven other pups were seen. 



In June, 1891, Messrs. Burke and Farwell took 4 seals on San Benita Island. 

 (Statement by Hunt.) 



1891-92 : Capt. F. M. Gaflfney found no seals at Guadalupe. 



1892: The writer visited Guadalupe May lG-25, 1892, in the interest of the State 

 Department. Seven fur seals were seen, one of which was killed l)ut not secured. 

 Four skulls were obtained. 



1893 : Mr. A. W. Anthony, of San Diego, states that 30 seals were taken in 1893. 



1894 : Mr. Anthony reports the capture of 15 seals in 1894. 

 This incomi)lete record accounts for 5,575 fur seals killed at Guadalupe between 

 187G and 1894. 



